Ahead of the 2023 general elections, major stakeholders in the Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have kicked against the rumoured governorship ambition of Femi Gbajabiamila, speaker of the House of Representatives, and Obafemi Hamzat, the state’s deputy governor.
Others seeking to replace the incumbent governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, in 2023 are Tokunbo Abiru, senator representing Lagos East and Hakeem Muri-Okunola, the Head of Service in Lagos, Daily Independent reports.
It was gathered that the leaders have told those nursing the ambition of replacing Sanwo-Olu in 2023 to perish the thought as there is no vacancy in Government House.
While Sanwo-Olu will naturally desire a second term as enshrined by the constitution, there is, however, a caveat as a source informed the newspaper that there was an unwritten agreement that Sanwo-Olu who is a Christian, will only serve one term in order to complete the four-year term which former governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, began in 2015.
He added that by the time Sanwo-Olu completes his tenure in 2023, the two terms allocated for a governor of Christian denomination would have been completed, while a Muslim candidate will continue from there.
While many dismissed the argument as unfounded as no one could ascertain if such agreement exists, Pastor Sam Ogedengbe, a former Senior Special Assistant to the Lagos State Governor on Christian Religion, few weeks ago, said that a Muslim will succeed Sanwo-Olu in 2023.
Ogedengbe, who is the National President of the All Christian Leaders and Ministers Forum, said he was one of those who clamoured for a Christian governor after the end of Governor Babatunde Fashola’s tenure, which later brought about the emergence of ex-Governor Akinwunmi Ambode and Governor Sanwo-Olu.
He said without being economical with the truth, he and other Christian ministers and leaders would not be ingrates, but would take the necessary line of action by supporting a Muslim governor.
